A woman attending the German carnival has caused controversy by appearing at the opening of the celebrations apparently dressed in “blackface” makeup.
The woman was photographed with her face covered in black paint, with two white circles painted around her eyes and red lips.
She was also seen with pieces of cotton stuck to her outfit while attending the opening of the traditional Dusseldorf Carnival season on November 11, which this year marks the 200th anniversary.
The event saw thousands of costumed revelers take to the streets of Germany’s Carnival strongholds to celebrate the start of the carnival season.
The image comes amid a debate over whether black makeup in some dances and plays is historically racial or derives from a “costume” purpose.
The woman was photographed with her face covered in black paint, except for two white circles painted around her eyes.
She was also seen with pieces of cotton stuck to her outfit while attending the opening of the traditional Dusseldorf Carnival season on November 11.
Last month, warnings were issued for photographs of people dressed in black at traditional English folk events.
Historically, the Haxey Hood game and Christian agricultural celebrations involved attendees wearing blackface makeup.
But now photographs of the rural events, which are still occurring in the 21st century, have been published with content warnings on the North Lincolnshire Museum website as they could cause “offence or harm”.
In 2020, the Joint Morris Organizations (JMO), which promotes and regulates groups participating in activities such as Morris dancing, banned the use of black makeup among its members.
The Carnival season in Germany is an ancient tradition and marks the preparation for the main celebrations before the Christian fasting season of Lent leading up to Easter.
Celebrations in the Rhineland traditionally begin on November 11 at 11:11 a.m. and last until Ash Wednesday the following year.